High Protein Tuna Salad Recipe Using Greek Yogurt

Elle Morgan | July 7, 2025

Everyone knows tuna salad is delicious, but what about those who want to enjoy the health benefits of tuna without inadvertently consuming too much mayo? This high protein tuna salad recipe solves that problem by using a combination of Greek yogurt and mashed avocado, a nutrient dense clean source of protein and a heart healthy cancer fighter, as a base to bind together the ingredients.

With an atypical flavor profile created to suit both the tuna and the yogurt, this recipe is unconventional but delicious. Loosely inspired by Joe and the Juice’s tunacado, a social media sensation, push yourself to try this unique, nourishing dish that is packed full of vitamins and benefits.

Let’s get started!

High Protein Tuna Salad

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 2 tbsp plain Greek yogurt
• ½ ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 green onion, sliced
• 1/2 or 1 tbsp fresh dill, dried or fresh
• 1 tbsp fresh chives, chopped
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• salt to taste

Instructions

Step 1: Prep ingredients

• Chop chives, dill, and green onions. Mince garlic.
• Drain liquid out of the tuna can and set aside.

Step 2: Mash avocado

• Mash ½ of a ripe avocado in a bowl.

Step 3: Prepare base

• Into the bowl with the avocado, add the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic. Combine until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Season base

• Add in dill, chives, and salt.
• Add in tuna
• Fold in the contents of the can of tuna.

Step 8: Serve and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

Melt

• This recipe makes a delicious tuna melt. Breads like sourdough, brioche, or flatbread compliment the garden-freshness of the herby salad.
• Slather a generous portion of the tuna salad between 2 pieces of bread and add sliced tomatoes and optionally add cheese like sharp white cheddar or havarti. Toast it on a pan with butter or mayo on the outside of the bread for optional crispiness and flavor.

Crackers

• A simpler way to enjoy this tuna salad is to scoop it up on crackers. Multigrain, saltine, Ritz, or pita crackers all work wonderfully.
• For an extra touch of design, you can pre-scoop it onto the crackers and garnish with extra dill and everything but the bagel seasoning.

Wrap

• Add a couple of spoonfuls to one side of a pita bread or tortilla. Fold the bread around itself to create a wrap.

Seaweed

• Something I like to do when I’m eating tuna salad is to scoop it onto small sheets of seaweed while I eat it, similarly to how you would use crackers. This adds an unbeatable umami crunch that makes the experience similar to eating sushi.

Potato Chip

• Nothing tops the savory, crunchy potato chip as a vessel for creamy tuna salad. I recommend Trader Joe’s Lightly Salted Potato Chips for texture and flavor.

Other Ingredients To Try Adding

Celery

• Celery gives the dish an extra crunch that truly sets it over the top. Add in 1 stalk, finely chopped for extra earthiness and texture.

Cucumber

• Similarly to celery, the texture of diced cucumber makes the salad crisp and refreshing. Persian Cucumbers are my favorite variety because of their clean flavor and satisfying flavor.
• Add in ½ of a diced Persian cucumber for a yummy twist on the original recipe.

Red Onion

• 1-2 tbsp of finely diced red onion adds a sharp, subtle bite that cuts through the mildness of the salad.

Relish

• A few spoonfuls of relish, whether dill, sweet, or spicy, always pair well with tuna salad.

Q&A

What type of tuna should I use for this recipe?

• My all-time favorite unflavored can of tuna is Trader Joe’s Solid White Yellowfin Tuna in Extra Virgin Olive Oil. If you’re looking to completely minimize calories, opt for their Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water (No Salt Added).

How much will I taste the Greek yogurt?

• If the tanginess of Greek yogurt is a concern of yours, there’s no reason to worry. The amount of other flavors largely overpower the yogurt, and while you can definitely taste a little bit of it, it’s not a dominant force of the recipe.

Final Thoughts

When I originally thought of this idea, I wasn’t sure if the yogurt and tuna would pair well together. I thought that there was no way that a healthy swap for mayo would taste good at all! But now, I make this recipe more than I do any other when I have canned tuna on hand.

This unique twist on the classic tuna salad is a perfect combination of creamy, crispy, and brightly flavorful. Whether it’s served on toast, as a wrap, on crackers, or on seaweed, its versatile flavor works fantastically for a quick lunch, meal prep, or a healthy dinner. Try this high protein tuna saladrecipe next time you need something that’s as simple as it is delicious!